| Most people ask themselves whether they can be | | | | customer was using a certain IP address on a certain |
| tracked (have their name, address, e-mail disclosed) | | | | time and date and they must disclose that |
| over the Internet by having their email or IP address | | | | information in case a court of law has found probable |
| detected by others. | | | | cause that a crime was committed by that person. |
| It's true that IP addresses are no longer secret. It's a | | | | However, there are still ways for surfing the Internet |
| main part of the Internet communications protocols | | | | anonymously - for the truly paranoid or the criminally |
| to have the IP address sent each time you connect | | | | inclined individuals. The Anonymizer service will act as |
| to a website, chat, play online and so on. Without the | | | | a proxy server between you and your ISP and they |
| IP address, the computer on the other end wouldn't | | | | claim that your information cannot be subpoenaed |
| know where to send the requested information. | | | | because they do not have it stored. The same thing |
| However it doesn't mean that the bad guys can | | | | goes for your email address. The part that follows |
| track your house in case they know your IP address. | | | | the "@" sign is your ISP's domain name and given the |
| Each time you start your PC to go to the Internet | | | | name of the domain, one may track the ISP's |
| you will be assigned an IP address, randomly selected | | | | geographical location, but there is no personal |
| from a pool of IP's assigned to your Internet service | | | | information revealed about the email user without a |
| provider. | | | | court order. |
| Therefore, a person is able to get a main idea of | | | | Web-based email accounts are not exactly |
| your geographic location, based on your IP address, | | | | anonymous, either. Even if you don't provide your |
| by doing a lookup on the Internet provider database, | | | | real name when signing up, they can track your IP |
| but that will only tell them the physical location of | | | | address and get hold of you through your ISP if |
| your ISP and not your home address. | | | | necessary. |
| Of course there is an exception to every rule. If | | | | It's much more likely that you or your children will |
| somebody calls your ISP and wants to know who | | | | reveal your physical location the traditional way, by |
| had used a certain IP address at some point, the ISP | | | | simply blurting it out. Children who chat or play online |
| will refuse to give your information away. However, if | | | | games should be permanently reminded that they |
| a police officer hands your ISP a court order to | | | | should never disclose any personal information, |
| reveal that information, the ISP must do accordingly. | | | | including their last name, phone number or home |
| Your ISP's logs will help them determine which | | | | address. |